Dorothy Johanna Riesberg, age 87, was peacefully called to the Lord on Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Dorothy was born on August 24, 1937 in Lidderdale, IA. She was the daughter of John G. and Rose (Dopheide) Rotert. After finishing 8th grade at St. Augustine in Halbur, IA, Dorothy stayed home to help tend to her brothers and sisters. Dorothy was married to Earl Riesberg on November 22, 1958 at St. Augustine Church in Halbur, IA, with Father H. J. Gretteman officiating. For their first five years, they farmed in the Halbur area. Then in 1968, they moved to “the farm” 3 miles east of Kimballton where she was a wife and mother to four children. In 1988, after operating their farm for 20 years, the couple moved to Audubon, IA. While Earl was managing his business, you could find Dorothy working in the Friendship Home kitchen in Audubon. She also worked in the bakery at Audubon Food Pride. Dorothy was a faithful member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a member of the Catholic Women’s Guild. She cherished her weekly coffee get-togethers with her siblings. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing cards, making her famous hamburgers, special K bars, baking cookies, and banana bread. In her spare time, you could find her quilting and working on her embroidery. In May of 2020, Dorothy moved into the St. Anthony Nursing home.
Dorothy is survived by her children and their families: Randy Riesberg, Cheryl (John) Stokes, Kathy (Bryan) Andersen, and Dennis (Rachel) Riesberg. She had 17 grandchildren, Ashley (David) Cruz, Kenneth Williams, Joseph Riesberg, Shianna Riesberg, John Riesberg, Justin Riesberg, Jessica (Eric) Miller, Jerica (Justin Blackwell) Juelsgaard, Jacob Juelsgaard, Lynsey (Fiance Tom Wilson) Stokes, John (Louise) Stokes, Kolton (Megan) Lange, Kaele (Brock) Deist, Ries Andersen, Harley Riesberg, Aspen Riesberg, Parker Riesberg; her brother Leon (Monica) Rotert, her sisters Ruth (Alan) Kokenge, and Theresa Soppe. In-laws; Margie Sibbel and Marlene Riesberg. Dorothy also has 15 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Earl; her parents John and Rose Rotert; three brothers: Jerry (Mary Lou) Rotert, Norbert (Alvina) Rotert, LaVern Rotert; Sister Rosie (Bob) Pottebaum; and in-laws; Ron Soppe.
Casket Bearers: Kolton Lange, Brock Deist, Dennis Riesberg, Parker Riesberg, Eric Miller, Joseph Riesberg, Kenneth Williams, John Riesberg
Honorary Casket Bearers: Justin Riesberg, Jessica Miller, Jerica Juelsgaard, Jacob Juelsgaard, Kaele Deist, Ries Andersen, Harley Riesberg, Aspen Riesberg, Ashley Cruz, Shianna Riesberg
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Audubon. Burial will follow at the St. Patricks Cemetery in Audubon.
After the burial, a luncheon will be served at the St. Patrick Catholic Church Parish Center.
The Rosary will be said at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025, followed by a Visitation until 2:30 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the St. Patrick Catholic Church or the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Dorothy’s name. They can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 201, Audubon, Iowa 50025.
